Category: Pánske plavky – trendy, výber a inšpirácia
Originally published: 23.03.2026 · Updated: 12.05.2026
The second weekend in June before the holiday. A man opens the drawer with last season”s swimwear, pulls out two pairs — one has faded sides from the sun, the other has a loose drawstring and the fabric has lost its shape around the crotch. He stands in front of the mirror, puts on the worse pair and immediately sees that the cut no longer sits the way it did a year ago. Holiday in ten days, swimwear needed within a week, and he has no idea whether to buy shorts, short shorts or stay with the classic. Which cut works today? Which length lengthens his legs? Which material survives chlorine, sea and UV without deformation?
That is what we at DESSUE have heard for 19 years of experience from hundreds of men who came to us before or after their holiday looking for precise answers. Mens swimwear is one of the few categories of a man”s wardrobe where a wrong choice can spoil the impression of an entire holiday — and mens swim shorts form by far the most-sold segment within this category globally. In this guide we will break down exactly how to choose the right cut, length and material, why short models dominate today, what to avoid in cheap marketplace listings and which model is consistently the best-selling in the DESSUE offer.
Key facts in 30 seconds:
What are mens swim shorts?
Mens swim shorts are a type of mens swimwear with a shorts-style cut made from technologically treated quick-drying material (most commonly Hi-Tech polyester), a firm elastic waistband with drawstring and an inner lining. They are designed to withstand chlorine, salt water and UV radiation, dry quickly after leaving the water and keep their shape after repeated use. They differ from regular beach shorts in material composition, internal construction and type of waistband.
Mens swim shorts are consistently the best-selling cut in the mens swimwear segment — they cover the majority of sales not only in the DESSUE offer but in practically every credible statistic we have seen across 19 years in the industry. The reason is simple: they combine three properties that other types of mens swimwear do not deliver in a single garment — comfort, freedom of movement and a universal look that works outside the water as well.
Unlike briefs or boxers, quality swim shorts dress a man on the beach, by the pool, in the hotel restaurant and even in town on the way from the beach. This crossover into the lifestyle segment is the main reason why the search term "mens swimwear shorts" consistently outranks searches for briefs and boxers combined many times over. A detailed comparative guide to individual cuts is available in our article on types of mens swimwear.
The second factor is visual work with the figure. Well-designed shorts lengthen the legs, balance proportions and create a dynamic impression that has replaced the older aesthetic of long, loose boardshorts below the knee. Exactly this combination of functionality and visual benefit makes swim shorts the dominant category within mens swimwear and explains why premium brands such as Roberto LUCCA have been ranked in the Top 10 by editorial team Edgard L”Élégant for years.
For those who want orientation before we go into detail, here is a quick comparison of the three length categories in which mens swim shorts operate today:
| Length | Visual impression | For whom | Current trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short (upper third of thigh) | Lengthens legs, dynamic, premium impression | Athletic, slim and shorter build | Dominant cut, best-selling subcategory |
| Mid-length (mid-thigh) | Balanced, non-extreme, universal | Heavier build, compromise seekers | Stable classic cut |
| Long (below knee, boardshorts) | Visually shortens the figure, heavy-looking | Surfers, specific sports | Declining, fading from the premium segment |
If you are looking for a short cut specifically, the specialised short shorts category in the DESSUE offer covers exclusively models in the upper third of the thigh — the cut that has consistently topped search demand for years.
The length of swim shorts is the single parameter that changes a man”s appearance on the beach more than any other detail — more than colour, more than pattern, more than price. It is connected with where the leg of the shorts ends on the leg and how much of the thigh remains exposed. The more thigh visible, the longer and slimmer the legs appear. This is a visual law that works on every body type.
Short mens swim shorts are today the best-selling subcategory within the entire mens swimwear segment. The cut ends in the upper third of the thigh, close to the crotch, exposing a larger part of the leg and visually lengthening it. The result is a figure that appears taller, slimmer and more athletic — regardless of the actual proportions.
This cut characterised premium designer mens swimwear from Italian and French ateliers for many years and gradually became a sought-after standard outside the premium segment as well. It works for the athletic, slim and shorter build, where the leg-lengthening effect brings the greatest benefit. From a style perspective it is a confident choice — it does not look neutral but intentional. The specific differences between premium and regular models are discussed in our article on luxury mens swimwear vs regular swimwear.
The mid-length cut, ending approximately at mid-thigh, is today the main alternative for men who want a modern aesthetic without maximally exposing the thigh. It looks balanced, never inappropriate, and fits most body types including the heavier build.
It is a safe choice for the first modern mens swimwear for a man used to wearing boardshorts for years and wanting to move closer to the current trend without a radical jump. After one season in a mid-length cut, most men move to the short version on their own — the visual difference is too strong to want to go back.
Long boardshorts reaching below the knee are gradually disappearing from the premium segment of mens swimwear and almost never appear in current Italian or French collections. The reasons are combined: they visually shorten the figure, cover the entire lower part of the leg, hold more water when leaving the sea and dry significantly slower.
Some e-shops still promote them as a "universal comfort cut" — in practice they are suitable only for specific sporting use such as surfing or long hours on the beach in full sun where they also serve as protection against thigh sunburn. For the regular holiday or pool scene, this cut is now outdated.
The cut is the technical foundation of the entire garment — it determines how the shorts sit on the body, how they behave during movement and how they look statically. It is the cut, not the price or brand, that is the clearest distinguishing factor between cheap and premium mens swimwear. Cheap material can be recognised even from a photograph — a bad cut is visible only on the body.
The modern cut of swim shorts works with a slight taper at the thighs that eliminates the so-called "baggy" effect — when the swimwear creates excess fabric at the sides and crotch. The shorts thus follow the body without restricting movement. The second detail is the waistband — quality mens swimwear has a firm elastic waistband complemented by a strong drawstring that ensures the swimwear does not slip down during movement in water.
Cheap marketplace models skip these details. The cut is usually a wide, straight, "tubular" shape, the waistband is thin and the drawstring soft or completely missing. After the first intensive swim in salt water, the waistband loses its elasticity and the shorts begin to fall down. A detailed analysis of why mens swimwear loses its shape over time and which ones do not is in a separate article. This is what we have seen at DESSUE for 19 years of experience on hundreds of returned pieces from hypermarkets and cheap online listings.
Material is the factor that decides whether swim shorts last one holiday or five seasons. Quality mens swimwear uses technologically treated fibres with precisely defined properties — absorbency, resistance to chlorine and salt, UV stability, mechanical durability against abrasion and repeated washing. The topic is covered in detail in our article on quality mens swimwear. Regular material does not have these properties and failure shows during the first summer.
Here is a quick comparison of the four materials you will encounter in mens swim shorts:
| Material | Quick drying | Resistance (chlorine/salt/UV) | Shape stability | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Tech polyester | Excellent | High | Good | ✅ Standard for quality shorts |
| Polyester with elastane | Excellent | High | Outstanding (elasticity) | ✅ For closer-fit cuts |
| Nylon taslon | Very good | High (water-repellent) | Good | ✅ For water sports |
| Cotton / organic cotton | Very weak | Low (colour bleeds) | Weak (deforms) | ❌ Does not belong in swimwear |
Hi-Tech polyester is today the most-used material in quality mens swimwear. It is technologically treated polyester with low absorbency — water does not penetrate deep into the fibre but stays on the surface where it evaporates quickly. Thanks to this, quick-drying mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech polyester returns to a nearly dry state within tens of minutes, not hours, after leaving the water.
The second benefit is colour stability. Hi-Tech polyester is dyed with exclusive long-lasting colours that withstand chlorine, salt and UV — the colours remain vivid even after dozens of swims. With cheap regular polyester without this treatment, the fabric loses its colour already after the first season, especially at the sides and in the crotch, where the fabric is in contact with skin and salt. A detailed analysis of how chlorine acts on different types of materials is in our article on what chlorine does to swimwear.
Polyester with elastane is the second category that DESSUE experts recommend for men looking for higher elasticity and better shape stability. Elastane ensures that the fabric returns precisely to its original shape after being stretched — the shorts do not sag in the crotch and do not deform after extended sitting.
This combination is suitable especially for shorts with a closer-fit cut, where shape stability is critical. In the category of regular swim shorts with a looser cut, Hi-Tech polyester without elastane is usually sufficient.
Nylon taslon is the third category — a material with natural water-repellency and high mechanical resistance. It suits men who use swim shorts also for water sports or intensive physical activity around water (paddleboard, wakeboard, boat trips). It dries slightly longer than Hi-Tech polyester but is significantly more abrasion-resistant.
Cotton does not belong in swimwear. This is one of the most common mistakes we see in cheap online listings — some e-shops list cotton or "organic cotton" shorts as swimwear, which is technically nonsense. Cotton absorbs water deep into the fibre, stays wet for a long time, holds several times its weight in water, deforms on contact with water and loses shape after drying. After the first real swim in the sea, a cotton short is wet, heavy, cold and losing form.
If you see cotton listed in the description of mens swimwear — those are not swimwear but beach shorts intended for sitting by the water without entering it. For real swimming you need Hi-Tech polyester, polyester with elastane or nylon taslon. The difference between sea and pool environments from the material perspective is covered in our article on swimwear for the sea vs the pool.
The inner lining is a detail that is hard to identify from an e-shop photo but immediately felt on the beach. Cheap swim shorts typically have a mesh liner — a thin net that shows through when wet and chafes in the crotch. Mesh belongs on windows against insects, not on intimate parts of the body.
Premium branded mens swimwear uses instead of mesh a full 4-way stretch quick-drying lining with full coverage — fabric that does not show through, does not chafe and dries in similar time to the outer layer. Roberto LUCCA — one of the premium brands in the DESSUE offer — has not used mesh liners since 2012 and has all models in current collections with full 4-way stretch lining.
This is a detail that separates premium swimwear from cheap marketplace listings more strongly than most men realise before the first purchase — and one of the main reasons why luxury mens swimwear feels comfort-wise different from regular models.
Quick drying is not a marketing label — it is a measurable material property that derives from three factors: fibre absorbency, fabric breathability and final product weight. Quick-drying mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech polyester handles the transition from wet to nearly dry within tens of minutes at normal temperature and wind — in practice this means you can leave the sea, sit for a meal and return to the water without feeling cold or the pulling of wet fabric.
Cheap shorts made of regular polyester without treatment can take 4–6 hours to dry, especially when it is humid or overcast. Cotton shorts even a whole day. We covered this mechanism in detail in our separate article on how fast drying works in practice (not marketing).
Body type is the second parameter — right after length — that determines whether the shorts flatter a man or not. A universal cut does not exist. A brief application of the laws of visual proportion saves a lot of bad purchases. A detailed expert guide is in our article on how to choose mens swimwear by body shape — here is a summary for the four most common types.
The athletic build with visible thigh muscles benefits most from the short cut. Short swim shorts reveal the construction of the leg and highlight the musculature. The result is a dynamic, sporty look that long boardshorts would completely hide. For the athletic build the short length is the ideal visual frame.
A slim build gains visual balance from the shorter cut — the exposed leg completes the overall impression and prevents the "thin legs lost in long swimwear" effect. If the man is also taller, short shorts support his height and create aesthetic coherence.
For a heavier build, balance is important — too short shorts expose the thigh in areas where the man may feel insecure, too long add visual volume to the lower body. The optimal solution is a mid-length cut, simple design (solid colour or with a discreet detail), and a darker colour (navy, dark green, anthracite, black). Patterns and bold colours bring more attention than the man wants in this case.
A shorter build gains the most from a short cut — it visually lengthens the legs, which balances the overall appearance. Long below-knee shorts are the worst possible choice for a shorter man, because they visually shorten the legs and further "shrink" the figure. Short length is the absolute choice here.
For those who buy mens swim shorts purposefully — ideally online from a specialised retailer — the following workflow minimises the risk of a bad choice. A comprehensive guide to why online shopping from a trustworthy retailer pays off more than a brick-and-mortar hypermarket is in our article on mens swimwear online vs in-store.
Step 1: Measure yourself with a tailor”s tape. You need three measurements — waist circumference at the thinnest point (typically 2–3 cm above the navel), hip circumference at the widest point and leg length from waistband to knee. Write down the exact values. Without these numbers, choosing a size online is a lottery.
Step 2: Decide on type and length. Athletic, slim or shorter build — reach for short swim shorts. Heavier build — choose a mid-length cut from the main category of swim shorts. If you are looking for an alternative to shorts, consider boxer swimwear for a compromise between shorts and briefs, or brief swimwear for pure swimming and Mediterranean aesthetics.
Step 3: Check material and inner lining. Look in the product description for a specific material name — Hi-Tech polyester, polyester with elastane or nylon taslon. If it just says "polyester" without further specification, it is typically regular polyester without treatment and the lifespan will be short. With cheap listings featuring cotton or "organic cotton" in the composition — those are not swimwear but beach shorts. At the same time check that the model has full 4-way stretch lining — mesh liners are no longer used by premium brands.
Step 4: Compare your measurements with the size chart. A quality e-shop has each model”s dimensions in centimetres, not just S/M/L/XL. If you have values between two sizes, order both — at the first purchase it is a common strategy. The one that does not fit you return or exchange within 30 days.
Step 5: Build your swimwear set by holiday type. For a week-long beach holiday we recommend three pairs, for a wellness weekend two, for a combined trip one universal quality pair of shorts. Detailed recommendations are in our articles on mens swimwear for a beach holiday and on how to choose one swimsuit for everything.
Step 6: Find out the guarantee conditions. A 14-day legal right of return should be offered by every trustworthy European e-shop. An above-standard 30-day exchange period plus a two-year legal material guarantee are signals that the retailer stands behind their offer. A return form included directly in the package (as with a DESSUE purchase) is another practical bonus — you handle it on paper, without clicking through the internet.
In 19 years of experience at DESSUE, the most common mistakes when choosing mens swim shorts repeat in the same order:
Too long a cut. The most common mistake — a man stays with the length he wore ten years ago, even though the current trend is several centimetres higher. The result is visually outdated and an optically shortened figure.
Cheap untreated material. Regular polyester without Hi-Tech treatment or cotton in the composition leads to colour loss, deformation and short lifespan. Low-quality mens swimwear lasts a few uses — not a season.
Ignoring the inner lining. The mesh liner is the silent comfort killer. On the beach it shows through, in motion it chafes. Full 4-way stretch lining should be criterion number one when choosing a quality brand. The difference between designer mens swimwear and ordinary models shows up most clearly here.
Relying on "one-size" sizes from marketplaces. An Asian "L" corresponds to a European "M" or even "S". Without a detailed size chart in centimetres, the purchase is a lottery.
Too bold a pattern. Loud patterns today look cheap even on quality material. The premium segment has shifted in recent years toward solid-colour models and subtle tonal details — cut and material speak more than colour.
Mens swim shorts are the most universal cut, but they are not the only type of mens swimwear, and in some scenarios they are not even the optimal choice. Brief comparison:
Boxer swimwear offers a compromise between shorts and briefs — a shorter, closer-fitting silhouette that works by the pool and in the hotel. It is chosen by men who want a more modern look than classic shorts, but do not want to go all the way to briefs.
Brief swimwear is the choice for intensive swimming — minimal water resistance, maximum freedom of leg movement. Mediterranean aesthetic, in Northern Europe still perceived as a bolder choice, in Italy and France a standard. For English-speaking customers at DESSUE, brief and bikini-brief styles have a particularly strong following — they are often chosen as the primary swimwear style rather than just a secondary one.
Thong swimwear and the String Mania category represent the maximisation of tanning area — the choice for a holiday focused on tanning and confident presence on the beach. A detailed comparative guide is in our article on types of mens swimwear.
For a complete lifestyle solution the offer also includes mens underwear in the same quality segment — boxers, briefs and thongs.
From long-term statistics of the DESSUE offer — without exception every season — the best-selling mens swim shorts model is Roberto LUCCA 10152. It is the shortest cut in the brand”s portfolio — ending in the upper third of the thigh, close to the crotch — and exactly the type of visual proportion that visually lengthens the legs and balances the figure across all four body types (athletic, slim, heavier and shorter).
Model 10152 is available in multiple materials — Hi-Tech polyester, polyester with elastane and nylon taslon — and in a wide palette of colours across seasons. The second long-term best-seller is 10153 — a slightly longer cut (still the shorter category but less radical than 10152), suitable for men who want premium aesthetics but are not yet ready for the fully short cut. Both models are available in the specialised short shorts category.
A detailed comparative guide to premium brands and Roberto LUCCA”s position in the Edgard L”Élégant ranking is in our article on the Top 10 best swimwear brands — Roberto LUCCA is in the Top 10 for the third consecutive year (2024, 2025, 2026).
The correct choice of mens swim shorts is a combination of three parameters: length (short for a dynamic look, mid-length for universality), material (Hi-Tech polyester, polyester with elastane or nylon taslon — never cotton) and cut (precise taper, firm waistband, full 4-way stretch lining instead of mesh). These three factors together determine whether the shorts will last one season or five, and whether they will flatter the man or hide him.
Mens swim shorts are today the best-selling cut in the mens swimwear segment — for their universality, visual benefit and comfort that other types of swimwear cannot match individually. When buying from a trustworthy specialised retailer with 19 years of experience, a detailed size chart, 14-day right of return and 30-day exchange period, the risk of a bad choice is minimal.
The article content was prepared by DESSUE experts based on more than 19 years of experience in selling mens swimwear and cooperating with premium manufacturers from Italy and France, including the Roberto LUCCA brand – for the third consecutive year in the Top 10 of editorial team Edgard L´Élégant (2024, 2025, 2026).
The short cut ending in the upper third of the thigh is today the best-selling and most-searched length. It visually lengthens the legs, balances proportions and works for athletic, slim and shorter builds. A heavier build can reach for a mid-length cut (mid-thigh). Long below-knee shorts are gradually disappearing from the premium segment.
The three main categories are Hi-Tech polyester (most widespread, quick-drying, colour stable), polyester with elastane (higher elasticity and shape stability) and nylon taslon (water-repellent, suitable for water sports). Cotton does not belong in real swimwear — it absorbs water, deforms and dries slowly. Regular polyester without Hi-Tech treatment loses colour and elasticity after the first season.
The main differences are material (Hi-Tech polyester vs regular polyester or cotton), inner lining (full 4-way stretch vs mesh liner), cut (precise taper vs baggy tubular cut) and waistband with drawstring (firm elastic vs thin soft). The material detail is not visible from a photograph but shows in practice after the first intensive swim in salt water or chlorine.
The mesh liner shows through when wet, chafes in the crotch and has no full coverage. Premium brands including Roberto LUCCA (which has not used mesh liners since 2012) replace it with a full 4-way stretch quick-drying lining — fabric that ensures full coverage without showing through, without chafing and with drying time similar to the outer layer.
Measure with a tailor”s tape your waist circumference at the thinnest point and hip circumference at the widest point, optionally leg length from waistband to knee. Compare values with the e-shop”s size chart — a quality retailer gives dimensions in centimetres, not just S/M/L/XL. In case of doubt, order two adjacent sizes and return or exchange the one that does not fit within 30 days.
The long-term best-selling model in the DESSUE offer is Roberto LUCCA 10152 — the shortest cut in the brand”s portfolio, ending in the upper third of the thigh. It is available in Hi-Tech polyester, polyester with elastane and nylon taslon in multiple colour variations. The second long-term best-seller is 10153, slightly longer but still in the shorter category.
For English-speaking customers at DESSUE, brief and bikini-brief styles have a noticeably stronger following than in Central European markets — they are often chosen as a primary swimwear style alongside shorts. Both formats have valid use cases: shorts for versatility outside the water, briefs for intensive swimming and maximum freedom of leg movement. The complete brief offer is in the brief swimwear category.
Yes — quality mens swimwear made of Hi-Tech polyester is designed precisely for these conditions. The material withstands chlorine, salt water and UV without loss of colour and shape. With intensive use, quality shorts last 3–5 seasons. A detailed analysis of chlorine action is in our article on what chlorine does to swimwear and how it affects durability.
Quality shorts made of Hi-Tech polyester with intensive use last 3–5 seasons without significant wear. Cheap swimwear made of regular materials typically lasts a few uses — it loses colour, deforms and the waistband loses elasticity already during the first season. Details on why swimwear loses its shape are in a separate article on shape loss of mens swimwear.
Mens swim shorts from the premium offer including the short cut Roberto LUCCA 10152 are available at DESSUE.com. The full short shorts category is available, as well as alternatives in the form of boxer swimwear, brief swimwear, thong swimwear and the exclusive String Mania category. Part of the purchase includes 14-day right of return, 30-day exchange period and 19 years of DESSUE expertise.
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